American Sign Language
noun
: a sign language that is used especially for communication by and with deaf people and is the formal sign language of the U.S. and English-speaking Canada and also serves as the basis for various sign languages in other countries (such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Bolivia)
—abbreviation ASL
Note: American Sign Language was developed in Hartford, Connecticut in the early 1800s.
Examples of American Sign Language in a Sentence
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Variety has learned exclusively that Harbour, who plays Floyd Smernitch — an American Sign Language interpreter found dead and tied to a local dating app — will be submitted in the supporting actor (limited or anthology series or movie) category.
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Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Three songs sung by popular characters in Frozen 2, Encanto and Moana 2 are going to be released in American Sign Language for Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language initiative on Monday, April 27.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
This system was tested with volunteers performing all 26 letters of American Sign Language and interacting with different objects such as a pencil, scissors, and a tennis ball.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
At Milwaukee Sign Language School, deaf students learn American Sign Language alongside hearing students, while the program at Neeskara and Golda Meir focuses on oral and auditory training.
—Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 31 Mar. 2026
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Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Three songs sung by popular characters in Frozen 2, Encanto and Moana 2 are going to be released in American Sign Language for Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language initiative on Monday, April 27.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
This system was tested with volunteers performing all 26 letters of American Sign Language and interacting with different objects such as a pencil, scissors, and a tennis ball.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
At Milwaukee Sign Language School, deaf students learn American Sign Language alongside hearing students, while the program at Neeskara and Golda Meir focuses on oral and auditory training.
—Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for American Sign Language
Cite this Entry
“American Sign Language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20Sign%20Language. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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